Nursing Home Abuse LawyerHerrin, IL

Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care facilities stake their reputations on trust and dependability, and that’s why you choose the facility that you did. Your loved one was abused by the nursing home that your family trusted to care for their health, and they need to be held accountable for their horrible act. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Herrin that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Herrin is dedicated to protecting and fighting for the rights of those who have been injured and don’t have the recourse or capability of fighting for their rights by themselves. We have the experience that your family needs to fight this Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit, and we’ll fight for the complete and total recovery of your family. We never charge to discuss your case, and you won’t owe our lawyers any fees unless we win your nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Herrin now.

Gary Burger | Trial Attorney

Gary Burger is devoted to helping injury victims recover from devastating accidents in Missouri and Illinois. Gary practices all areas of personal injury law and has been successful in providing financial recovery while aiding in the protection of our clients' future.

How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Herrin

There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Does your loved one look like they’ve lost an unhealthy amount of weight? Their caregiver might not be giving them all the food they need, or the right nutrients. Do you see red sores or skin issues appearing on your loved one? They need to be moved to prevent these sores, and their caregiver isn’t giving them the attention they need. Is your family member nervous or unusually quiet around staff members? Your loved one may, unfortunately, be suffering from either abuse or harassment by the staff. Listed below are sings to look out for when you think your loved one is being abused or neglected.

1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment

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If your loved one isn’t eating, it will show. If they look thin, tired, emaciated, or seem overly fatigued after simple tasks, they may be getting the food they need. You’re paying for your loved one to be taken care of, not abused and punished. This is not ok. Negligence and abuse are never ok, and you can sue the nursing home in court. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Herrin have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:

Skin Issues – The skin will take on a yellow hue, and in darker complexions, the skin may appear dull and heavily wrinkled. An additional warning is that the skin under the fingernails will take on a pale hue.

Mouth Sores or Discoloration – Canker Sores are bright red skin around the mouth and lips can be a sign on malnourishment. Yeast infections or thrush infections are also a sign, and cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tonuge.

2. Nursing Home Abuse Bed Sores

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Bed sores are an ailment that arises from individuals who are immobile, causing wounds that can eat down to the bone. They develop as sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. If your loved one developed bed sores while in an assisted living facility, they were most likely not moved regularly, and were given neglectful or no attention. Bed Sores are even common in intensive care units. Bed Sores are easily avoidable if nursing homes give each resident their due diligence. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Herrin have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:

Stage 4. Bed Sore – At this stage, infection is an extreme possibility. Bones, muscles, and tendons may be visible at this stage.

Remember, bed sores, or the other name they are known by, pressure sores, are preventable. Negligence caused the sores, and negligence can be sued. You can sue for bed sores, and you absolutely should. There is no excuse for their negligence, and you shouldn’t accept whatever excuse they offer you. They had their chance. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Herrin now. We’ll take care of your family and your loved one.

Here is a short video about Bed Sores and what you can do about them.

3. Nursing Home Abuse or Mistreatment

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Abuse isn’t always apparent, and your loved one may either not be willing to admit or not able to admit that they are being abused. Nursing home abuse does happen, and it’s never easy to hear that the assisted living home you trusted abused your loved one. You should never accept any excuses they give you, and you may even be able to call the authorities. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:

Financial Exploitation – If you aren’t checking their finances daily, it can be easy to miss. {Higher than normal credit card bills, missing checks, or Wills that have been recently altered could be clear signs of financial exploitation of your loved one|If their credit cards are maxed out, if they are missing checks, or their will has been altered and you weren’t alerted, this is a clear sign of exploitation|If their checks have gone missing, if their credit cards are being declined, and if any of their other finances appear to out of order, these can be signs of exploitation|The signs for this type of abuse will be altered wills, mysterious power of attorney forms, maxed out credit cards, and missing checks.

Neglect – This type of abuse leads to malnourishment, possible bed sores, dirty living conditions, and often serious infections. Neglect from a caregiver can also lead to self neglect.

Physical Abuse – This type of abuse typically results in scratches, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and in some cases sexual abuse. Along with a lawsuit, you can call the cops for any sign of physical abuse. You should also sue the nursing home that allowed this abuse to happen. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Herrin will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.

Psychological Abuse – Psychgological abuse is when a care provider verbally abuses your loved one, and causes your loved one to act nervous around them, or hesitant to speak. This type of abuse is bullying, and can cause wounds as terrible as physical ones.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Herrin have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

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The Nursing Home Reform Act is clear on the laws and rights guaranteed to nursing home residents. These are not suggestions, they are laws, and have to be followed to the letter of the law. According to the Nursing Home Reform Act, here is a quick breakdown of the rights your loved one can expect:

Freedom from Abuse

Freedom from Restraints

The Right to Privacy

The Right to Accommodation of social needs, psychological needs, physical needs, and medical needs

The Right to Participate in Resident and Family Groups

The Right to be treated with dignity

The Right to exercise self-determination

The Right to communicate freely

The Right to review and participate in any aspect of the care they are receiving and any changes to it

The Right to voice grievances

Your loved one has rights, by law, and if they’ve been violated you can pursue legal action against the Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility that was entrusted with their care. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Herrin are well versed in the laws the govern nursing homes and the levels of care that residents are entitled to. We can help you and your family if you decide to pursue a claim against the assisted living facility. You have options, and those who harmed your family can be held accountable. Call or Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Herrin now to protect your family.